Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common agent causing both early-onset and late-onset sepsis and significantly associated with sepsis in inborn babies. Amikacin should be used along with the third-generation cephalosporins for empirical treatment of gram-negative neonatal sepsis.

The mortality rate was significantly high in neonates with a culture-proven sepsis compared to those with a negative blood culture. PROM >24 h, Apgar score <6 at 5 min, birth weight ≤1.5 kg and mechanical ventilation were independent risk factors for culture-proven sepsis, while lethargy, shock and birth weight ≤1.5 kg were independent predictors of mortality.